Endovascular treatment of pseudoaneurysms secondary to chronic pancreatitis: reports of two cases / Tratamento endovascular de pseudoaneurisma decorrente de pancreatite crônica: relato de dois casos

Abstract Pseudoaneurysm secondary to chronic pancreatitis is a rare complication, but one with a high mortality rate. It is etiologically associated with chronic pancreatitis, and most diagnoses are made after rupture, which manifests with clinical signs of acute hemorrhage. Computed tomography plays an important role in diagnosis, but digital subtraction angiography remains the gold-standard method for diagnostic confirmation and for treatment planning. This article describes two cases of pseudoaneurysm in patients with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis; one involving the splenic artery and the other the gastroduodenal artery, complicated by thoracic and abdominal bleeding respectively. Both were successfully treated, using minimally invasive endovascular methods to implant coils and stent-grafts.

Resumo O pseudoaneurisma decorrente de pancreatite crônica consiste em complicação rara, porém com alta taxa de mortalidade. Está etiologicamente associado à pancreatite crônica, e seu diagnóstico é feito mais comumente após ruptura, manifestando-se através de sinais clínicos de hemorragia aguda. A tomografia computadorizada desempenha papel importante no diagnóstico; contudo, a angiografia por subtração digital mantém-se como método padrão-ouro para confirmação diagnóstica e direcionamento do tratamento. O presente artigo relata dois casos de pseudoaneurisma em pacientes com pancreatite crônica alcoólica, sendo um da artéria esplênica e outro da artéria gastroduodenal, complicados com sangramento torácico e abdominal respectivamente. Ambos foram submetidos a tratamento endovascular minimamente invasivo com sucesso, através de implante de molas e de stent-grafts.

Alcoholic chronic pancreatitis: A quality of life study / Pancreatite crônica alcoólica: um estudo de qualidade de vida

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the quality of life between patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis and controls, and between diabetic and non-diabetic patients, correlating clinical, sociodemographic, and nutritional factors with their quality of life scores. Methods: Forty-three outpatients of the pancreas and biliary tract clinic diagnosed with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis were assessed. Quality of life was measured by the Brazilian version of the Short Form-36. The control group consisted of 43 healthy companions. Nutritional status was classified according to body mass index and triceps, biceps, suprailiac, and subscapular skinfold thicknesses, using the appropriate methods. The percentage of body fat was given by adding the four skinfold thicknesses and by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The statistical tests included the Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, and Spearman's correlation tests, with the significance level set at p<0.05. Results: The sociodemographic variables of the case and control groups did not differ. Quality of life was lower in alcoholic chronic pancreatitis patients than in controls. The only quality of life domain that differed between diabetics and non-diabetics was functional capacity, lower in diabetics (p=0.022). Smoking duration, alcohol intake in grams, and time since pancreatic surgery correlated negatively with the quality of life of alcoholic chronic pancreatitis patients. Old age, skinfold thicknesses, and percentage of body fat correlated positively with quality of life. Conclusion: Quality of life is low in alcoholic chronic pancreatitis patients because of the negative influence of certain factors, such as smoking duration, amount of alcohol consumed, and time since pancreatic surgery.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida dos pacientes com pancreatite crônica alcoólica, comparando-os aos participantes de um grupo-controle e entre pacientes com e sem diabetes. Métodos: Avaliaram-se 43 pacientes do ambulatório de pâncreas e vias biliares diagnosticados com pancreatite crônica alcoólica. A qualidade de vida foi verificada por meio do Short Form-36, versão brasileira. O grupo-controle para a qualidade de vida foi composto por 43 acompanhantes sem doenças conhecidas. Para avaliação do estado nutricional, foi calculado o índice de massa corporal e dobras cutâneas do tríceps, bíceps, suprailíaca e subescapular, de acordo com a metodologia adequada. Para obtenção da porcentagem de gordura corporal, utilizou-se o somatório das quatro dobras e a medida obtida por meio da bioimpedância. Para análise estatística, foi utilizado teste de Qui-quadrado, Mann-Whitney e correlação de Spearmam, com p<0,05. Resultados: Não houve diferença entre o grupo-caso e o grupo-controle para as variáveis sociodemográficas. A qualidade de vida dos pacientes com pancreatite crônica alcoólica mostrou-se diminuída quando comparada aos membros do grupo-controle. Ao serem comparados os domínios de qualidade de vida dos pacientes com e sem diabetes, somente o quesito capacidade funcional apresentou diferença: menor para o grupo com diabetes (p=0,022). A correlação mostrou que o tempo de tabagismo, a quantidade de etanol em gramas e o tempo de cirurgia pancreática incidiram negativamente na qualidade de vida do grupo com pancreatite crônica alcoólica. Idade avançada, pregas cutâneas e porcentagem de gordura corporal se correlacionaram positivamente com qualidade de vida. Conclusão: A qualidade de vida está diminuída no grupo com pancreatite crônica alcoólica devido à influência negativa de fatores como tempo de tabagismo, quantidade de etanol e tempo de cirurgia pancreática.

A prospective study of the aetiology, severity and outcome of acute pancreatitis in Eastern India.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is a common cause of hospital admission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the aetiology, severity and outcome of acute pancreatitis in our tertiary referral center. METHODS: Between August 2002 and December 2003, 45 cases of acute pancreatitis were admitted to the hospital. Diagnosis was ascertained by clinical examination and investigations (hyperamylasaemia). The severity was assessed by the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation scoring system and contrast enhanced computed tomography scan. The patients were treated according to a designed protocol. The data related to aetiology, severity and outcome were noted for subsequent analysis. RESULTS: Of the 45 patients, 33 were male and 12 were female. The mean age was 30 years. Of the 45 patients, 34 patients had mild pancreatitis and 11 had severe pancreatitis. The aetiology spectrum of mild pancreatitis included the following: alcoholism in 14 (41.1%), gallstones in 8 (23.5%), trauma in 6 (17.6%), idiopathic in 4 (11.7%) and post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in 2 (5.8%). The causes of severe acute pancreatitis came under the following headers: trauma in 3 (27.2%), idiopathic in 2 (18.1%), gallstones in 2 (18.1%), alcoholism in 2 (18.1%) and post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in 2(18.1%). Mild pancreatitis led on to the following: pancreatic abscess in 1, pseudocyst in 3 and readmission for pain relapse within 6 months in 10 patients. The remainder had uneventful recoveries. There was no mortality in this group. Severe acute pancreatitis led on to the following: symptomatic sterile pancreatic necrosis in 2, infected pancreatic necrosis in 2, pancreatic abscess in 2 and presentation 8 months later with colonic stricture in 1 patient. There were 2 deaths in this group due to multi-organ failure. CONCLUSION: Although gallstones have largely been implicated as a common cause of acute pancreatitis our study found alcoholism as the main aetiological factor. Blunt abdominal trauma was also seen as a common cause of acute severe pancreatitis, particularly severe acute pancreatitits, as seen in our series. The outcome in mild pancreatitis was good, severe acute pancreatitis leads to more complications and greater mortality, thus requiring careful medical and surgical management.

A Case of Intrahepatic Pseudocyst Complicating Acute Pancreatitis / 대한소화기학회지

Although most of pseudocysts as one of complications of pancreatitis occur primarily within the pancreas, the extrapancreatic locations of pseudocysts, especially in the liver, are rare events. With advanced technology of imaging studies including abdominal computed tomography, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging, their frequency seems to be increasing. We report here a case of left intrahepatic pancreatic pseudocyst following acute pancreatitis. Percutaneous puncture revealed a high level of amylase and lipase in the collection, confirming the diagnosis of intrahepatic pseudocyst. Symptomatic intrahepatic pseudocysts can be managed surgically, transcutaneously or endoscopically, and asymptomatic intrahepatic pseudocysts can be treated conservatively. We report this case with a review of literature.

A Case of Colon Obstruction Developed as a Complication of Acute Pancreatitis / 대한소화기학회지

In acute pancreatitis, colonic complications such as mechanical obstruction, ischemic necrosis, hemorrhage, and fistula are rare but their outcomes are fatal. It is known that colonic obstruction in acute pancreatits is more likely found in splenic flexure and transverse colon caused by severe inflammation of body and tail of pancreas leading to pressure necrosis. A 43-year-old man presented with abdominal distension lasting for 2 weeks. The patient had been admitted to our institution 6 weeks prior to the current admission, and the abdominal CT scan performed during the first admission revealed the pancreatic enlargement with peri-pancreatic fatty infiltration and fluid collection. At that time he was diagnosed as acute pancreatitis. The conservative management resulted in clinical improvent so that the patient was discharged. Upon the second admission, abdominal CT scan revealed multiple pseudocysts in the tail portion of pancreas with concominant wall thickening and narrowing of the proximal descending colon, and a dilatation of the bowel proximal to the splenic flexure. An obstruction of the descending colon as a complication of acute pancreatitis was suspected and the patient underwent left hemicolectomy. Abdominal distension was relieved after the operation and he was discharged on the 15th hospital days.

Hepatitis aguda alcohólica asociada a pancreatitis aguda grave / Acute alcoholic hepatitis and severe acute pancreatitis

Alcohol is a common cause of hepatic and pancreatic damage. Despite the widespread alcohol consumption simultaneous presentation of acute alcoholic hepatitis and pancreatitis is uncomnon. We describe a case of a patient with alcoholic hepatitis in association acute pancreatitis, who developed multiorgan failure and died. The association of liver and pancreatic disease in clinical practice is discussed.

El alcohol es un factor etiológico común de daño hepático y pancreático. A pesar de su extenso consumo la presentación simultánea de hepatitis y pancreatitis aguda alcohólica es excepcional. Se presenta un caso de esta situación, que evolucionó hacia la falla orgánica múltiple con desenlace fatal. Se discute la asociación de daño hepático y pancreático agudo en la práctica Clínica.

Clinical Features of Pseudoaneurysms Complicating Pancreatitis: Single Center Experience and Review of Korean Literature / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pseudoaneurysm is a life-threatening complication of chronic or acute pancreatitis. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical features of pseudoaneurysm complicating pancreatitis. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 7 patients diagnosed as pseudoaneurysms with chronic pancreatitis in Korea University Guro and Anam Hospital from January 1995 to March 2006 and analyzed their demographics, clinical courses and outcomes. RESULTS: All patients were men and mean age was 54.6 years (range, 43-67 years). All the cases occurred in the setting of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis complicated by pseudocyst. Abdominal pain was the unique initial clinical symptom in 5 cases, hematemesis in 1 case, and simultaneous abdominal pain with hematemesis in 1 case. Bleeding into pseudocyst developed in 5 cases, flowing into duodenum through pancreatic duct in 1 case and rupture into the descending colon in 1 case. Mean duration between onset of symptom and diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm was 7.8 days (range, 1-23 days). Six cases were diagnosed by abdominal computed tomography disclosing characteristic finding of focal high density area in the pseudocyst. Pulsed doppler abdominal sonography was performed before computed tomography in 3 cases and results were negative in 2 cases. Transcatheter arterial embolizations were initially performed in 6 cases, and there was no recurrent bleeding except one case of splenic infarction. Distal pancreatectomy was initially performed in 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudoaneurysms complicating chronic pancreatitis shows various clinical features. Transcatheter arterial embolization can be recommended as a primary therapeutic modality.

Hepatic Portal Venous Gas Associated with Acute Pancreatitis: Reports of Two Cases and Review of Literature / 대한소화기학회지

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is an uncommon disease entity that usually has grave prognosis. It is generally associated with bowel necrosis, and has been reported in a wide variety of conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, intestinal ischemia, or infarction. We experienced two cases of HPVG associated with acute pancreatitis. HPVG was found in patients with severe necrotizing pancreatitis and concurrent bowel ischemia. Despite aggressive resuscitation with fluids and broad spectrum antibiotics, each patient developed multiorgan failure, and died within few days. Acute pancreatitis is a potential cause of severe intraabdominal systemic catastrophe. Moreover, HPVG is associated with bowel ischemia in the setting of acute pancreatitis which could lead to rapid aggravation of symptom and complicated clinical course. Therefore, vigilant and aggressive management should be warranted in such condition.

Purtscher-like retinopathy associated with acute pancreatitis

CONTEXTO: Retinopatia de Purtscher com redução da visão bilateral é uma rara e grave complicação da pancreatite aguda. RELATO DE CASO: O caso de um paciente de 35 anos com pancreatite alcoólica aguda que apresentou diminuição súbita da acuidade visual é descrito. Oftalmoscopia revelou pólo posterior esbranquiçado devido à presença de manchas algodonosas confluentes. Angiografia fluoresceínica mostrou oclusão arteriolar retiniana. Os achados eram compatíveis com retinopatia de Purtscher. Tomografia computadorizada do abdômen demonstrou fígado e pâncreas aumentados, com edema e inflamação. A patogênese desta forma de retinopatia ainda é incerta e não há tratamento específico disponível.

Pseudo-aneurisma de artéria esplênica como complicaçäo de pancreatite: relato de caso / Pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery: a case report

Os autores apresentam um caso de paciente etilista, com pancreatite crönica, sem sintomatologia de agudizaçäo, amilase de 123 v/dl, no momento, com hematêmese e dor epigástrica. Foi solicitada gastroduodenoscopia e ultra-sonografia, que sugeriram pseudo-aneurisma da artéria esplênica, o que foi confirmado pela arteriografia. Um segundo ultra-som, realizado dois dias após o primeiro, mostrou alteraçäo do aspecto ultrasonográfico, com aumento do trombo e diminuiçäo da luz, indicando a variabilidade rápida da aparência ultra-sonográfica. Após, o paciente foi submetido a aneurismectomia, esplenectomia e pancreatectomia de cauda, com sucesso

Biliary and pancreatic stent blockage by bacterial biofilm: presentation of two cases

Biliary and pancreatic stents are effective tools in the management of obstructive jaundice (both malignant and benign), pancreatic pseudocyst drainage, and as treatment for biliary and pancreatic fistulae. Unfortunately, stents may become blocked and require replacement in a number of patients. In the present study a blocked stent from a patient with transpapillary drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst and another from a patient with obstructive jaundice resulting from cancer of the head of the pancreas associated with Mirizzi syndrome were characterized by electron microscopy. Stent blockage was diagnosed by a pressure test and stent cultures were performed. Electron microscopy of the blocked stents revealed the sludge to consist of microcolonies of bacteria mixed with amorphous material, and cultures of both stents were positive for Klebsiella sp and E. coli.

Pseudoaneurysm and splenic infarction in chronic pancreatitis: a case report

Peripancreatic pseudoaneurysm and splenic infarction are rare but life-threatening complications of chronic pancreatitis. The incidence of pseudoaneurysm in patients who undergo angiography for pancreatitis is about 10%. Clinically, pseudoaneurysm is hard to discover until rupture occurs. The authors have recently experienced a case of intact pseudoaneurysm and splenic infarction in chronic alcoholic pancreatitis. A bolus enhanced CT scan and angiography were essential to confirm these complications of pancreatitis. We managed these complications successfully by distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy.